Flashlight



July 19, 1949. H. H TURNER ET AL 2,476,783

FLASHLIGHT Filed June 23, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR HARVEY HILL TURNER JOSEPH CALVIN LA MAR BY (J ATTORN EY July 19, 1949- H. H. TURNER ET AL FLASHLIGHT I Filed June 25, 1945 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Q- V I INVENTORS HARVEY HILL TURNER ATTORNEY Patented July 19 1949 1 Harvey Hill Turner, Woodbury, Ga., and Joseph 7 Calvin La Mar, Hawesville, Ky.

Application June 23, 1945, Serial No. 601,178 I This invention'relates to new and useful improvements in a flashlight.

More particularly the invention proposes a new and improved flashlight which is characterized by the fact that it includes a casing for the battery cells, and which is also provided with a transverse tubular top portion having a passage or opening, and a tubular or annular lamp, so that it is possible to look through the tubular top portion while inspecting objects upon which the flashlight is aimed.

Still further the:invention proposes providing the transverse tubular top portion with a sighting tube to facilitate looking through the flashlight as stated above.

The invention also makes use of a removable lens mounted upon the back of the sighting tube to obtain a clearer view of an object being inspected.

Still further the invention proposes to construct the tubular casing of the flashlight of several sections which will permit the tubular, or annular lamp to be easilyremoved and replaced when needed. r

Still further itis proposed to present a modifled form in which an improved sighting tube is used, constructed of telescopic sections which may be extended and retracted for-controlling the cone of vision through the sighting tube.

Another object of-this invention is the construction of the flashlight as briefly explained which is simple, durable, efiicient and which may may be manufactured and sold at a low cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claimsin which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a frontelevational view of a flashlight constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the flashlight shown in Fig, 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse elevational view looking in the direction of the line 4- of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational view looking in the direction of the line 5-5 of Fig. 3,

6 Claims. (Cl. 240-105) Fig. 6 is a fragmentarysectional view of another flashlight, thisview being very similar to Fig. 3, but disclosing a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. .8 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 6.

The new and improved flashlight, in accordance with that form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, includes a tubular casing it for the battery cells II. This tubular casing 10 has a transverse tubular top portion 12 which is removably mounted by a threaded section [3 upon a top portion I4 of the casing Ill. The transverse tubular top portion l 2 is provided with a front section I 5 which is attached to it by several rivets, or fastening elements I6. This front section [5 is provided with 'a tubular threaded portion l7 forming a socket for a tubular, or annular electric lamp l8. A suitable reflector l8 is provided behind the electric lamp H3. The front section I5 is also provided with a removable cap l9 which releasably holds a lens 20 which is mounted in position in front of the lamp i8. This lens 20 is shown provided with a central opening 2!. However, this opening is not essential. v 7 I The electric'lamp. J8 has an annular glass envelope 24 in which there is an annular filament 25. This filament 25 has ends 26 and 2 1. One of these ends is'connected with the threaded shell 28 of the lamp l8, which is adapted to threadedly engage the threaded socket l1. The other end of the filament 25 is connected with an annular contact 30 mountedupon the back of the lamp l8. I

An electric circuitisestablished between the battery cells Hand the electric lamp 3.. This electric circuit is not shown in detail, but includes the usual switch32 mounted upon the side of thetubular casin ID. The electric circuit also includes afcontact arm 33 which engages against the annular or ring contact 30, and Which is connected with a terminal 34 engaging the end terminal 35 of the uppermost battery cell H. The terminal 34 is supported on a bar 36 mounted on and across the top portion E2 of the casing ID. The shell contact 28 of the electric lamp I8 is grounded because it is in contact with the socket I! which is indirectly connected with the casing ID of the flashlight.

The sighting tube 38 is mounted on and through the back of the tubular top portion l2 and is aligned with-the central opening of the annular The switch 32 is operated in the usual way 7 to turn on, or turn oil the lamp I8. The light rays will pass through the lens 20 and may be played upon an object. The object may be viewed. better by looking through'the sighting tube 38 because then the light rays from thelamp 18 are shielded from the viewers eyes, Moreover.

the viewer is looking upon the object from a shielded, or darkened area which makesviewing easier.

When required; the .lfi'may-casily be r moved and replaced. The: lensifl. may be removed and replaced.

In Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive, a modified form-oithe invention has been disclosed. which is similar to the prior form distinguishmgimei'ely in the fact that the new. and improved flashlight is provided with a sighting tube id-formed from telescopic sections 49 and 5d. The section All has athreaded back portion 39"which' threadedly engages the 'sock'et'fi, The front section 50 has a tapered front end. This front section 50 extends through the-annular lamp i8 and'into the opening 21 of the lens 20. A flexible handle 52 is attached upon the extendable section 50 by which it may be pulled out. A pin 53 is mounted'upon the inner section 59 and engages an elongated slot 5E formed in the outer section dill-by which the sections are held against coming'apart when the outer section 50 is pulled outwards.

In other respects this form of the invention is identical to the prior form and similar parts may be recognizedby the same reference numerals.

The operation of this iorm ofgthe invention is similar to the prior iorm'distinguishlng merely in the fact that" the telescopic section 50 may be extended whendesired so as to contract the cone of vision through the, sighting tube 48. With this arran ment it is possible to better i sp t small openings and objects. I

This islmer ly one. example of theadaptabili y of the present construction- Itis to be under= stood that it m y as. readily becombined with other means stutable io'rimedical purposes. such as those used for examining ears, throat. tc, where a concentrated area of light is desired.

For example, the inner section 5.0 may be. in the form ofa split'ccnical tubing for ready. insertion into the ear or other orifice This split conical tubing may then be extended by any suitable arrangement such as alever, slide, arm,.etc.

While We have illustrated and described th r erred embodiments of. our: invention, it is to be understood that wedo not limit ourselves to the precise constructions. herein disGlQsed and the right is reserved toallchanges and modifications coming within the scope. of the invention as de-. lined in the appended claim Having thus describedour invention, What we claim as new, and deslre tosecure y- United States Letters Patentis; I

1. In a flashlight having'a tubular top portion formed with spaced end-walls an a lamp socket mounted concentrically. one end wall,

a tubular electric lamp mounted in said lamp socket, a sighting tube mounted through the other end wall of the tubular top portion concentric with said tubular electric lamp, and a lens mounted on the end wall of the tubular top portion formed with the lamp socket for concentrating rays of light from said lamp on an object in front of said lens, said lens being formed with an opening concentric with, said tubular electric lamp and said sighting tube providing an unobstructed clear line of vision between an object --in front of said lens and ones eye behind said I sighting tube.

2. In a flashlight having a tubular top portion formed with spaced end walls and a lamp socket mounted concentrically in one end wall, a tubular electric lamp mounted in said lamp socket, a sighting tube mounted through the other end wall of the tubular top portion concentric with said tubular electric lamp, and a lens mounted on. the end wallet the tubular. top portion formed with the 'lampssocket'for concentrating rays of light from saidlamp on an object in front of said lens,- said lens being formed with an opening concentric'withsaid tubular electric lamp and said sighting, tube providing an unobstructed clear line of vision between an object in front of said lens and onesveye behind said sighting tube, a second lens mounted within an enlarged recess formed in. one endof said sighting tube, and an annular member threadedly engaged in said enlarged recess and'bearing against said second lens securing the same in position.

3. In a flashlight having a tubular top portion formed with spaced end walls and a lamp socket mounted concentrically in one end wall; a tubular electric lamp mounted in said lamp socket, a sighting tube mounted through the other end wall of the tubular top portion concentric with said tubularelectrio-lamp, and a lens mounted on the end wall of the tubular top portion formed with the lamp socket for concentrating rays of light from said lamp on an object in front of said lens, said lens being formed with anopening concentric with said tubular electric lampfand said sighting tube providing an unobstructed clear line of vision between an object in 'front' of said lens and oneseye behind. saidsighting tube, said sighting tube being iormedof telescopically engaged sections withone section projected from the other and through said; tubular lamp, means non-rotatively but axially extendably connecting said sections together, and means attached tothe projected section and extended through the opening in said lens by which said section can be extended and retracted relative to each other.

'4, In a flashlight havinga tubulartop portion formed with spaced end wallsland a lamp socket mounted concentrically in one end wall, a tubular electric lamp mounted in said lamp socket, a sighting tube mounted through the other end wall of the tubular top. portion concentric with said tubular electric lamp, and a'lens mounted on the end wall of the tubular top portion formed with the lamp socket for concentrating rays of light from said lamp on an object in front of said lens, saidlens being formedwith an opening'concentr c with said tubular. electric lamp and said sighting tube providing an unobstructed clear line of vision between an object in front of said lens and ones eye behind said sighting tube, said sighting tube being formed of telescopically engaged sections withone section projected from the other and through said tubular lamp, means non-rotatively but axially extendably connecting said sections together, and means attached to the projected section and extended through the opening in said lens by which said section can be extended and retracted relative to each other, said projected section having its projected end tapered.

5. In a flashlight having a tubular top portion formed with spaced end Walls and a lamp socket mounted concentrically in one end wall, a tubular electric lamp mounted in said lamp socket, a sighting tube mounted through the other end wall of the tubular top portion concentric with said tubular electric lamp, and a lens mounted on the end wall of the tubular top portion formed with the lamp socket for concentrating rays of light from said lamp on an object in front of said lens, said lens being formed with an opening concentric with said tubular electric lamp and said sighting tube providing an unobstructed clear line of vision between an object in front of said lens and ones eye behind said sightingtube, said sighting tube being formed of telescopically engaged sections with one section projected from the other and through said tubular lamp, means non-rotatively but axially extendably connecting said sections together, and means attached to the projected section and extended through the opening in said lens by which said section can be extended and retracted relative to each other,

with the lamp socket for concentrating rays of light from said lamp on an object in front of said lens, said lens being formed with an opening concentric with said tubular electric lamp and said sighting tube providing an unobstructed clear line of vision between an object in front of said lens and ones eye behind said sighting tube, said sighting tube being formed of telescopically engaged sections with one section projected from the other and through said tubular lamp, means non-rotatively but axially extendably connecting said sections together, and means attached to the projected section and extended through the opening in said lens by which said section can be extended and retracted relative to each other, said latter-mentioned means comprises a handle attached at one end to said projected section and having its other end extended through said lens opening to be manually grasped for sliding said projected section relative to the other section.

HARVEY HILL TURNER. JOSEPH CALVIN LA MAR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 536,759 Potter Apr. 2, 1895 1,280,374 Bennett Oct. 1, 1918 1,542,011 Simpson June 16, 1925 1,570,393 Osean Jan. 19, 1926 1,795,691 Wilson Mar. 10, 1931 1,804,105 Martens May 5, 1931 2,092,672 Hyatt Sept. 7, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 217,168 Germany 1909 

